Five players to watch in the Six Nations

David Skippers
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Ahead of the Six Nations we take a closer look at five outstanding players who we expect to make an impact in this year’s tournament.

Garry Ringrose (Ireland): Leinster have been in superb form in the Champions Cup and the PRO14 and Ringrose has been at the forefront of the Irish province’s charge with several outstanding performances in both competitions. After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, due to injuries, the highly-rated 23-year-old outside centre returned to the Test arena during the latter part of last year’s Six Nations. Ringrose hit the ground running with fine showings in Ireland’s triumphs against Scotland and England which helped his country to clinch only their third-ever Grand Slam. After finishing the Six Nations on a high, Ringrose continued with his fine form and played a major role in Leinster’s successful 2017/18 Champions Cup and PRO14 campaigns and he has also shone for his province in both competitions this season. With his Leinster team-mate Robbie Henshaw on the comeback trail after injury, Ringrose is expected to form a midfield partnership with Connacht‘s Bundee Aki when Ireland start their title defence against England in Dublin on February 2. Big things are expected of the duo, who were two of their country’s stars in their memorable win over New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium last year. An elusive runner, who hits great angles, Ringrose’s ability to beat defenders will make him a marked man in this year’s tournament.

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Greig Laidlaw (Scotland): The veteran scrum-half has been a vital cog in Scotland’s wheel for several years and their chances of success improve greatly when he is in their matchday squad. Laidlaw’s superb goal-kicking saw him finishing amongst the leading point-scorers in the 2018 competition and his experience also proved important as they claimed important home victories against England and France. The 33-year-old has also been in fine form for his club, Clermont, and helped them to the top of the Top 14 standings and to the Challenge Cup‘s quarter-finals after winning all six their pool fixtures with bonus points. Although in the twilight of his career, the 33-year-old still has plenty to offer and his fighting spirit and astute rugby brain will be crucial to Scotland’s cause. Despite being the most experienced scrum-half in their squad, Laidlaw started the 2018 campaign on the replacements bench with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend opting to play Ali Price in their tournament opener against Wales. That decision proved costly as Scotland suffered a big defeat and Laidlaw returned to the run-on side for their four remaining matches of which they only lost one – to eventual winners Ireland. Laidlaw also has a knack of bringing out the best in his team-mates which will be crucial, especially in tight matches.

Billy Vunipola (England): After several injury setbacks, which has seen him start just three of England’s past 23 Tests, the bulldozing number eight is fit and will be chomping at the bit to make an impact in this year’s tournament. After recovering from a fractured arm, Vunipola made a successful comeback for his club, Saracens, in Premiership matches against Sale Sharks and Wasps earlier this month, although England head coach Eddie Jones was unhappy with the decision as he felt that the player was rushed back too soon. Jones’ fears, while understandable, were unnecessary as the 26-year-old made a brilliant return to action and celebrated it with tries in both matches. Vunipola’s raw power, ability to draw in defenders and get over the gainline, makes him a potent attacking weapon for England. It remains to be seen whether he has done enough to convince Jones to hand him a starting berth when they kick off their campaign with such a tough game against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, however, as he faces stiff competition from Nathan Hughes of Wasps, who has done well as his deputy in the past, and Newcastle Falcons‘ Mark Wilson, who shone at number eight during England’s November Tests last year.

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Justin Tipuric (Wales): With Sam Warburton no longer on the scene, Tipuric is his country’s premier openside flank and he will be expected to lead Wales’ onslaught alongside other senior players like Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Jonathan Davies, George North and Leigh Halfpenny as they aim to give Warren Gatland a perfect send-off by winning the competition for the first time since 2013. Tipuric has played most of his career in Warburton’s shadow but the former Wales captain’s retirement has been good for the Ospreys stalwart, who has blossomed into a true back-row star in the past year. Tipuric’s prowess at the breakdown is one of his strengths and if he dominates that department, Wales usually finish on the winning side as well. He will be be expected to shine in that facet of play but his ball carrying and defensive duties will also have to be at their best, especially against teams like Ireland and England, who will be their stiffest opposition. Tipuric has been superb for Wales recently and won man-of-the-match awards in their year-end Tests against Scotland and Australia last November. If he can continue with that form, Wales will stand a good chance of winning the tournament.

Guilhem Guirado (France): France have been under-performing at international level in recent years but not through a lack of trying from their captain, Guirado. The Montpellier-bound hooker is one of the best players in his position in the world and despite having an injury-plagued season, shone for his country during their 2018 end-of-year Test campaign. Les Bleus won just one out of three of those Tests but Guirado was in fine form scoring four tries in the internationals against South Africa, Argentina and Fiji (2). The 32-year-old is powerful with ball in hand but also impresses on defence and in executing his core duties, which is vital for a tight forward in the modern game. If France want to return to their former glory years in the Six Nations, they will expect Guirado to be at his best, with his leadership skills also important in motivating his team-mates. After their disappointing end-of-year campaign, pressure will be mounting on Les Bleus, but if Guirado continues with his brilliant performances and can also manage to inspire those around him, France could surprise some of the more fancied teams, especially when playing on their home turf.

by David Skippers

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